Feeding mechanism



Oct. 8, 1929. c. L. POST FEEDING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 14, 1926 V o o a 0 o a o o o o o o o o o o n o a u o o a o o o awide H757 Ciazzde Llf'ojf JiiF:

0c t.8,19 29. c. 1.. POST 1,730,477

FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 14, 19 26 5 Sheets-Sheed 2 Qiiwezrlf' Cla zzdelj asf Oct. 8, 1929. c. L. POST FEEIING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 14 1926 5 Sheets-Shet 3 cfnz/efi 61a ade 17.1 05 7 Oct. 8, 1929. c. L. POST I i 1,730,477"

FEEDING MECHANI SM Filed Jan. 14, 1926 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Get. 8, 1929 LEAN FEEDING MECHANISM Application filed January 14, 1926. Serial No. 81,204.

My invention relates to feeding mechanism and particularly to mechanism for feeding envelopes to printing mechanism or the equivalent.

The invention has among its other objects the production of mechanism of the kind described, which is convenient, compact, durable, efficient and satisfactory for use wherever found applicable.

A particular object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for feeding envelopes from a magazine.

Another particular object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism which can be quickly and easily adjusted to feed various sized envelopes to printing mechanism, or the equivalent.

One form of the invention is embodied in a machine particularly adapted to print addresses or other information upon envelopes, V

the machine comprising printing mechanism to which the envelopes are fed by my improved feeding mechanism. My improved feeding mechanism preferably comprises feeding rolls, or the equivalent, and a magazine which is adjustable with respect to the feeding rolls,- the envelopes being fed from the magazine to the feeding rolls by means which may be quickly and easily adjusted for various sized envelopes, or envelopes having various sized flaps.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given. I

To this end myinvention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a printing machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig; i is a plan elevation of the mechanism adapted to extend'the flaps of the envelopes; Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the mechanism adapted to extend the flaps of the envelopes; Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section takenon line 7-7 of Fig. 5; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective views of envelope supporting plates whichmay be used ing roll and a platen or impression roll, re-

spectively, the rolls being driven by means (not shown) shown and described in my 00 pending application, Serial No. 741,428 filed October 3, 1924:. The envelopes or other a1- ticles to be printed are preferably placed in a hopper or magazine 5 located at one end of the machine and are withdrawntherefrom and then presented to the printing roll 52, envelopes being withdrawn from the magazine by means comprising feed rolls 15 and 16 mounted in the frame 1 and a flap engaging finger 14 mounted below themagazine and adapted to eXtendthe flap portions of'the envelopes forwardly. The flap. engaging finger is adapted to engage the body portion of the lowermost envelope in the magazine behind the flap portion thereof and then swinging the flap in advance of the body portion in such manner that-the flap may be engaged by the feed rolls 15 and 16; This is advantageous in that the envelopes are then presented to the printing roll with their flap portions extended and it is relatively easy to make clear impressions of the type upon the envelopes. Means comprising sprocket chains 8 is provided for advancing the en velope's A A printing roll 2, the sprocket chains being pro from the feed rolls. 15 and 16 to the I videdwith lugs 9 adapted to engage the envelopes and to push them through a plurality of U-shaped guides 11 and a plurality of flat guides 12.

vided with trunnions 2O rotatably journaled in the frame 1. Meshing with a sprocket 22 fixed to the shaft 18 is a sprocket chain 23 which meshes with a sprocket 2st fixed to a shaft 25 carrying the printing roller 2, it beingunderstood that the shaft 25 is driven by means (not shown) hereinbefore mentioned. A pinion 27. secured to the shaft 18 meshes with a gear 29 secured to one of the trunnions 20. Fixed to the same trunnion 20 is a sprocket 30 which meshes with a sprocket chain 31 arranged to mesh with a sprocket 32 secured'to a shaft 33-, the shaft beingrotatably journaled in an auxiliary frame 35 mounted in the main frame 1 (Figs. 3 and5). Pinned to the shaft 33 is a bevel gear 36 which meshes with a bevel gear 37 pinned to a vertically disposedshaft 38 which is rotatably journaled in the frame 35. At its upper end, the shaft 38 is provided with a head 40 in which a pin 41 pivotally mounts the flap engaging finger l l; It will be noted that this pivotal axis of the finger 14- is disposed at right angles to the axis of rotation of the shaft 38. The purpose of this construction will presently appear.

The chains 8 are trained over a plurality of sprockets 43 and 14 mounted upon shafts 15 and 46, respectively. Fixed to one end of the shaft 45 is a pinion a? which is operatively connected to the shaft 25 through the medium of a plurality of pinions 48, and a gear 49 secured to the-shaft 25.

Referring now to the magazine 5, it will be noted that this part of the machine comprises a plurality of members adj ustable relative to each other to accommodate envelopes of various sizes. Thus the magazine 5 preferablycomprises a front wall or plate 50, side walls or plates 52 and 53, a bottom wall or plate 5 1, and an envelope supporting plate 55. The bottom plate 54 is preferably supported upon the main frame 1 and is adjustably secured thereto byscrcws 57v or the equivalent which project through slots 58 formed in the plate 5a, the screws 57 being threaded into the main frame, This construction permits the plate 54 and, as will hereinafter appear, the remaining parts of the magazine 5, to be moved toward or away from the feed rolls 15 and 16. The frontplate 50 is preferably rigidly secured to brackets 59 mounted upon and rigidly secured to the plate 54. The lower edges of the side plates 52 and 53 preferably rest upon the upper surface of the plate 54 and the side plates are preferably provided with brackets 60 having grooves 62 for accommodating the upper edge of the front plate 50. This permits the side plates 52 and 53 to be moved toward or away from each other, screws 63 being provided in the brackets 60 for securing the side plates to the front plate in any desired positions relative to each other. Mounted upon the inner surface of each of the side plates is a bar 65 which is adjustably secured to the side plate by bolts 67 or the equivalent passing through slots 68 formed in the side plate.

In practice, envelopes are positioned in the magazine 5 in such manner that they extend lengthwise between the side plates 52 and 53, the side plates being secured in positions in which they prevent undesirable lengthwise displacement of the envelopes. 'The bars 65 are adjusted to hold the upper edges of the envelopes in close proximity to the front plate 50. Of course, it is understood from the foregoing description that the envelopes are placed in the magazine 5 with their flap sides underneath so that the flaps may be engaged by the finger 1 1 and extended forwardly into engagement with the-feed rolls 15 and 16.

A relatively large portion of the plate 5 1 is cut away, as indicated at 70, to accommodate the finger 1 1, the envelopes being supported by the plate 55 which is also cut away as at 72 to permit the flap of the lowermost envelope to be swung downwardly and then forwardly into engagement with the feed rolls 15 and 16. As best shown in Fig. 2, the plate 55 is preferably provided with a notch 7a so that the linger 14 may engage the back surface of the lowermost envelope behind the flap thereof.

" To prevent accidental displacement of the plate 55relative to the plate 54, 1 preferably provide a plurality of pins 76 projecting upward from the plate 5-1 adapted to engage apertures 77 formed in the plate 55. This arrangement permits the plate 55 to be readily removed from the magazine 5 when the magazine is to be adjusted for difierent sized envelopes. Thus, in Figs. 8 and 9 1 have shown plates 55 and 55", respectively, adapted to be used in place of the plate 55', the plates 55 and 55 being provided with apertures 77 adapted to receive the pins 76. I prefer to provide a different envelope supporting plate for each different size of envelopes, as the operator will remember to change the envelope supporting plates when the magazine is being adjusted for a different sized envelope, but will not always remember to adjust the plate itself if it is made in two or more parts movable relative to each other. 7 7

Referring now to Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive, it will be noted that the flap engaging finger 14; preferably comprises a-bentwire 79 which projects from a member 80, the aforementioned pin 41 being passed through the member 80 to pivot the flap engaging finger in the head of the shaft 38. Journaled upon the pin is a roller 81 held against longitudinal displacement by a shoulder 82 formed upon the member 80 and by. a cotter pin 83 projecting through the member 80. The roller 81 is adapted to ride upon a cam 85 adjustably secured to the bracket 35, the roller being urged against the cam by a leaf spring 87 which has one end clamped to the. head 40 by a plate 88 and screws 89. The free end of the leaf spring 87 bears upon the outer end of the member 80 and tends to rotate the flap engaging finger 14 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 6) around the pin 41. The cam is preferably provided with a flat dwell 90 and a depression 91 and is so designed that when the roller 81 rides upon the dwell 90 the finger 14 will have its flap engaging end disposed beneath the plate 54. However, when the roller 81 falls into the depression 91, the flap engaging end of the finger 14 will move upwardly through the notch 74 in the plate 55 and will engage the back surface of the lowermost envelope behind the flap portion thereof. Then as the finger tends to rotate around the axis of rotation of the shaft 38, the finger will engage the flap of the lowermost envelope and extend it forwardly into a position wherein it may be engaged by the. feed rolls 15 and 16, it being understood that the shaft 38 is continuously rotated when the machine is in operation.

Any suitable means may be provided for adjustably securing the cam 85 to the frame 35, but 1 preferably provide a screw 94 or the equivalent which passes through an aperture 95 formed in the cam and which is adapted to be threaded into any one of a plurality of holes 96, 97 and 98 formed in the frame 35. This permits the cam to be quick-y and easily adjusted for various sized envelopes or envelopes having different sized flaps. Thus, each time the plate 55 is replaced by a like plate of different dimensions it is preferable to adjust the cam 85 so that the finger 14 will properly engage the flaps of the envelopes disposed in the magazine. Obviously, any desired number of plates adapted to be used in place ofplates 55, 55 and 55 may be provided and any desired number of tapped holes resembling the tapped holes 96, 97 and 98 may be provided in the frame 35.

It is preferable to adjust the magazine 5 as a unit relativeto the feed rolls 15 and 16 for envelopes of different sizes, for if the magazine is positioned for envelopes having relatively long flaps which are extended to the feed rolls 15 and 16 by the finger 14 and an attempt is made to feed'envelo'pes having relatively short flaps, the finger 14 will be unable to extend the flaps thereof into posi tions wherein they may be engaged by the feed rolls 15 and 16. The magazine may be adjusted as a unit relative to the feed rolls 15 and 16 by manipulating the aforementioned screws 57 and then pushing the envelope toward or away from the feed rolls 15 and .16, as the case may be, after which thescrews 57 are again tightened.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial -modifications may he made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not. wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned. I i hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: j

1. Envelope feeding apparatuscomprising envelope advancing means, a magazine, means for securing the magazine as a unit in a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the advancing means, and means for extending the flaps of the envelopes into engage ment with said advancing means.

2. Envelo e feeding apparatus comprising feed rolls, a magazine, means for securing the entire magazine in a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the feed rolls, and means for extending the flaps of the envelopes into engagement with said feed rolls.

3. Envelope feeding apparatus comprising a magazine, means for holding'a series of interchangeablesupporting plates insertable in the magazine, each of said plates being substantially of the same length as the envelopes it is to support.

4. In envelope feeding apparatus, a m'ag- .azine comprising side walls, means for securing said side walls in adjusted positions relative to'each other, and means'for holding a .series of plates insertable in the magazine,

each of said plates being substantially of the same length as the envelopes itis to support. 5. In envelope feeding apparatus a frame,

a magazine comprising'a'bottom plate ad-- justably mounted on said frame, a front plate rigidlysecured with respect-to said bottom plate, a pair of side plates, and means engaging said front plate for securing the side plates in a plurality of ad ative to each other. 1

6. Envelope feeding apparatus comprisingv envelope advancing means, a magazine, means for extending the flaps ofthe enve lope for engaging with said advancing means, and means for securing the magazine as a unit in a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the advancing means whereby said flaps when extended are positioned for engagement by said advancing means.

7. Envelope feeding apparatus comprising envelope advancing means, a magazine, adjustable means for extending flaps of various sizes for engagement with said advancing means, and means for securing the magazine sted positions relin a plurality of adjusted positions with respect to said advancing means whereby flaps of various sizes may be positioned for engagement by said advancing means.

8. Envelope feeding apparatus comprising envelope advancing means, a magazine adapted to hold envolopes with flaps of various sizes, flap extending means adjustable for extending said flaps, and means for adjustably securing the magazine in a plurality of positions whereby flaps of various sizes may be positioned to insure engagement thereof by said advancing means.

9. Envelope feeding apparatus including means for holding envelopes, means for extending the flaps of said envelopes and means for adjustably securing one of said means as a unit in a plurality of positions with respect to the other of said means.

'10. Envelope feeding apparatus including a magazine adapted for holding various sized envelopes, means for extending the flaps of said envelopes, and means for securing said magazine as a unit in a plurality of positions With respect to said flap extending means.

11. Envelope feeding apparatus including means for holding envelopes having various sizedflaps, adjustable means for extending said flaps, and means for adjustably securing one of said means in a plurality of positions with respect to the other of said means.

12. Envelope feeding apparatus comprising envelope advancing means, a magazine for holding the envelopes, means for adjusting the entire magazine with respect to the envelope advancing means, andmeans comprising flapextending means for discharging the envelopes from the magazine to said envelope advancing means. I

13. In envelope feedingapparatus, feed rolls, a magazine adjustable as a unit away from and toward the feed rolls, said magazine having means for holding a series of plates insert-able in said magazine, each plate adapted to support envelopes of a certain size.

14. In envelope feeding apparatus, feed trolls, amagazine adjustable for the insertion therein of aseries of plates, each plate corresponding to an-envelope of a certain size, and means for extending the flaps of the envelopes into engagement with said feed rolls.

15. Envelope'feeding apparatus compriss ing advancing means, a magazine for bold ingthe envelopes, means foradjusting the entire magazine With respect to the envelope advancing means, means comprising rollers for discharging the envelopes from the magazme to saldenvelope advancing means, and

means for extending a flap of an envelope in said magazine into engagement with said rollers. r

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name. 7 I

I CLAUDE L. POST. 

